Alternatively, you can send off the clock face and cable to speedy cables who will fit a reduction gearbox about the size of a cigarette packet in line which will reduce the needle swing so that the speedo will read up to 180 mph.

The odometer will then be changed to the relevant amount of miles and from then on your are reading mph and clocking up distance in miles with the same clock face.

The markings which say Kmh will be altered to read Mph.

I must get my clocks done, I think the cost is about £200.

Mike.

Any input will be grateful:

I have a MY94 WRX import, and need the tach/speedo converted to MPH. I have been told my model is the old mechanical method. I have also been told that fitting of a new cable will convert and lift the restriction? Any truth in this? A subaru dealer told me a digital pulse system was required instead.

You do indeed have a mechanical speedo. I changed the face on mine to get a speedo which reads up to 110 MPH and then stops, but as it is a magnetic drive it doesn't do any harm! The speed restricition was removed by my mechanic, but I don't know how he did it! You could call him on 01844 274652 ask for Dave. the speedo face was bought from a dealer in the Exchange and Mart and cost about £25.

I'm still extremely confused about this, as Power Engineering told me that I could have the cable replaced, which would convert AND remove the restriction. The price was about £180. I told them it was a MY94 WRX. They still assured me it was possible. The dealer (who I would rather believe) told me it was crap and not possible. I would need a pulse system, or complete dash replacement (£900 for digital). Jeez!

Have a search in the archives, because this has been covered before. But basically, changing the cable alone will not do anything. You need a reduction gearbox in there as well. This makes the existing kph speedo read in mph instead. Then you either change the face of the speedo or just stick a mph sticker over the kph letters. This effectively removes the speed limiter as well, as it does not cut in then until 180mph, as opposed to 180 kph.

Pilch,

Do NOT believe the dealer, he is talking bol**x! My speedo face cost about £25 and the speed delimiter was about £125. The guy I mentioned is not far from you, just the other side of Aylesbury.

Hi lee here I have a 93 wrx import same as yourself I have the mechanical speedo I have a small import company near me in the midlands they done what has already been described, they fitted a small gear into the cable(size of a pack of fags) the needle now moves up slower so the face instead of reading 180kph now reads 180mph a small sticker went across the kph to mph so retaining the original face the odometer was then took apart and put back togeather so it reads how many miles instead of km, also because the speed limit works from the clock unless you have a extremly fast impreza the needle will never again touch the 180mph so the speed limiter never cuts in Ive had it now for about 1 year no problems no need for any other device price £125 bargain.If you take your clocks out he can do them through the post .
lee@rowley3273.freesserve.co.uk if in doubt.

Hi there...

Lee is correct... Its mechanical.. The speed limit sensor is indeed in the clock (magnetic sensor)... with yours the limit is 180kph...but by fitting the gear box (1.6) in the cable it changes that limit converting it into mph (hence your new limit would be 180mph). Once the gearbox is fitted simply stick over the kph label with one that says mph.

Mine is the same, except electronic, I have a sticker over the kph...

Not sure who does it... but I thought I would just confirm the details for you.

J.

ps - It is complete toss about requiring a new speedo!!

I think the lesson here is that if you have an import, until you have built up a relationship with a UK dealer, you can cheerfully ignore everything they say. The amount of rubbish I have had spouted at me by UK dealers about imports defies belief. Prizes go to:
The headlight bulbs are only available from japan and take 6 weeks to arrive.
All imports are doing 7000 revs in fifth at 100mph
No-one can service them.

Take everything a UK dealer says with a bucket of salt.

Proof about what ?

You ordered a 280bhp ? and the order confirms that ? (on the invoice) ?

If so, and they supplied a 260bhp wrx...demand your money back.... or a 280bhp car.. I believe there is a law somewhere (consumers right law or some crap) regarding purchasing goods and being supplied infearior ones...

J.

Cheers all for the help. I have ordered the 'magic fag packet' solution, expected today. All I gotta do now is fit it!

Paul, I think I'll take onboard what you said about the dealers. The guy didn't say I needed a new set of dials, just that the restrictor was not part of the cable (bollox). The digital dash sounded funky though http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

One thing that really pissed me off about my WRX is that its only 250bhp. I was sold it as a 276bhp, and I have printed proof! ******* importers...

Firefox,

The gumpf that was sent out had the full spec of the car, including 280 something, which equates to 276bhp. My dealer (Northampton, helpful guy called Derek) gave me a rundown on the car from the chassis number. He said all pre MY95 WRX were 250bhp. The car is plenty quick, and will be unrestricted later today (wahay!!)

It does piss me off that a new exhaust/filter combo will only give me what I paid for, not the 300bhp I would expect http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/frown.gif

P

Oh, btw all, I just got delivery of my reducer. Its not even as big as a packet of fags, and looks like it cost £20 to make. Why do they charge £185 for a trio of gears inside a metal box? I could make one MUCH cheaper! Even the instructions are dodgy. The dumbass supplier stuck the MPH sticker to the receipt. That aint gonna stick to anything now.

Whats this about 250bhp I thought that the early wrx were 240bhp in japan running on 100 ron when you use them in this country the actual power on the rollers with our petrol could be considerably less both mine a 93 and my friend a 94 both were running 220 to 225 bhp before tuning because of our fuel can someone confirm thanks
lee

Yes, quite right Lee.

240 ps on 100 ron fuel, change the fuel to 98 ron then convert to bhp from ps and you are (approx) looking at around 220bhp.

However, we know the Jap's are usually very conservative with their power & torque figures and you should gain a bit of both as the engine loosens up.

Pilch seems to have been confused by the dealer, the dealer seems to have said all pre 95 cars are 250bhp, after having said it is 280? (You wish) (As do I).

This sounds like a typical example of a salesman with no product knowledge enticing you into a deal.

It's not all bad news though as you will see when you compare it to what else you could buy for the same money. As an all round package nothing else comes close. Hope you are happy with what you have ended up with, the bug will bite, more power will follow.

Mike. http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

Mike,

Oh yes, definitely happy. I'm needing more of a fix now though... The speed just aint quite enought any more. Air filter is next (thanks for the info Howard).

The dealer I was talking about was the local dealer who is fitting my car. The supplier is another guy who told me porkies. I'm VERY happy with the service I am getting from Derek at Westaway, Northampton (hi if you're reading this!) Sorry about the shameless plug. The great thing about visiting Derek is there are loads of 'B' roads to wind through before you get there. Shame shame!

Pilch, Sorry to sound thick but where exactly did you buy the gearbox from? I've lost track in the threads somewhere.......

MarkF,

I got the gearbox from ScoobySport. This is a converter gearbox, NOT a complete gearbox! Mind you, £185 would be a wonderful price for a new gearbox...

pilch